Preparing for Advising and Pre-Registration

Preparing for Advising and Pre-Registration

What Students Need to Know

Read the current Academic Catalog. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with Wittenberg’s policies and procedures.

Understand Wittenberg’s General Education Program. You should know not only the specific requirements of the General Education program but understand the reasoning behind the requirements. The General Education Program provides the foundation of liberal learning upon which Wittenberg realizes its primary purpose, as emphasized in its mission statement, of imparting knowledge, inspiring inquiry, and encouraging independent thought.

Know the Academic Deadlines. Look at the Academic Calendar and write down the important academic deadlines (last day to drop classes, etc) in your academic planner.

Sign-up for an advising appointment. Ask your advisor how they schedule their advising appointments. Some advisors will post outside of their office a sign-up sheet with their available times to meet during advising week.

Update your General Education Requirements checklist. This list helps you keep track of your progress toward satisfying the institutional requirements for your degree. It is your responsibility to know what you have taken and what courses you still need. Keep the checklist where you can find it and update it every term. Be sure to write down the specific course you have taken to fulfill a requirement, do not simply checkmark the space.

Before your meeting with your advisor, make a tentative schedule. Write down a list of courses that you think would be appropriate for the next term. Think of as many alternatives as possible, because you may not get your first choices. Note that there are often multiple sections of a specific course which may increase your scheduling alternatives.

Come to your advising appointment. Bring your requirements checklist and list of potential courses to this meeting. Your advisor will discuss both of these with you. If you do not have a list of potential courses by your meeting time, you should reschedule (i.e. do not show up to your appointment without a list of potential courses).

Register online during the designated time. After you leave your advising appointment, it is up to you to complete the registration process.

Keep a file of all your registration and advising material, including copies of any forms, drop/add slips, your requirements checklist (for both general education requirements, as well as requirements for your major), and any other pertinent information. Every semester you should also check your WATCH report (if you are not aware of this, you should find out from your advisor). Note that your advisor is here to give you advice. It is your responsibility to be aware of your academic progress.